View Larger Spiderwort

Planted at Mount Vernon

Planted at Mount Vernon Upper Garden

  • Upper Garden

  • Hardiness Zones

    4 4 5 5b 6 6b 7 7b 8 8b 9 9b USDA basemap

    Average annual extreme minimum temperature 1976-2005

    map legend 4 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b

    Spiderwort has grassy foliage and interesting purple blossoms, but tends to flop after flowering. It does best in shady locations and benefits from a good haircut after blooming.

    Latin Name

    Tradescantia virginiana


    Family

    Commelinaceae


    Also Known As

    Spider Lily


    Type of Plant

    Perennials Perennials

    Bloom Season

    May - July


    Seasons

    Summer Summer

    Specifications

    Max height Max Height: 3'
    Max spread Max Spread: 1.5'

    Uses

  • Flower Border
  • Naturalize

  • Sunlight Exposure

    Full Shade Full Shade
    Part Shade Part Shade

    Tolerances

  • Clay Soil
  • Black Walnut

  • Toxicity

    Skin irritant Skin irritant

    Colors


    Native Range

    Eastern United States


    History

    Philadelphia plantsman John Bartram listed this Virginia native for sale in 1770.


    Bartlett Tree Expert Company has been working with Mount Vernon Estate since 2011 providing expert arboricultural care and GPS mapping for the estate’s historic trees, as well as support from their research facility.   Mount Vernon is proud to partner with Bartlett Tree Experts and appreciates their sponsorship of George Washington’s Mount Vernon Plant Finder App.

    Bring Washington's Garden Home

    Purchase our historic seeds, collected from plants grown at Mount Vernon and plant them in your own garden.

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